Lisnagelvin tractor vandalism condemned

It’s believed that a large number of young people who gathered at Daisyfield pitches the weekend before last, were responsible for discarding bottles, beer cans and debris on the pitch, forcing grounds maintenance staff to work throughout the week to clear the pitches of glass.

Last week the pitches at Lisnagelvin were vandalized when someone allegedly stole a tractor and drove it through the fields, causing extensive damage to the playing surface. Lisnagelvin Playing Pitch Number 2 was been forced to close for the rest of the week because of the damage.

Hitting out at those responsible, the Mayor Colum Eastwood said it was regrettable that people would destroy community sports facilities.

“These are acts of wanton destruction on local communities. Those responsible don’t seem to realize that it is their own communities who are affected by their actions.

“I totally condemn these incidents and would encourage community leaders and parents to be vigilant as to the whereabouts of their young people.”

The Mayor added that anyone who has any information on any of these incidents to contact the PSNI directly.

Last week the Sentinel reported how clashes between rival sectarian gangs at the Irish Street/Top of the Hill interface last year prompted 24 separate police complaints alone forcing Derry City Council to consider erecting new fencing to divide the warring factions at an anticipated cost of £14,500 to the ratepayer.

It emerged there were 24 separate reported incidents to police about the activity of rival sectarian gangs - often drunk and congregating in groups of up to 40 - in the vicinity of the Lisnagelvin Playing Fields, Irish Street Bowling Green, Gelvin Grange and Knockwellan Park last April - October alone